Chief Operating Officer (Assistant Director of Transportation)
Broward County Government, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
Broward County Board of County Commissioners, Transportation Department
is seeking qualified candidates for the position of
Chief Operating Officer (Assistant Director of Transportation)
in its Operations Division.
The Community Bordering Southeast Florida’s Atlantic coastline, Broward County is the seventeenth most populous county in the nation and the second largest in the state of Florida. Home to over 1.9 million people, the county occupies about 1,200 square miles and contains 31 municipalities, the largest of which is the county seat, Fort Lauderdale. Approximately two‑thirds of the county is part of the undeveloped Everglades conservation area. Broward County boasts 23 miles of pristine Atlantic coastline, its beaches attract locals and tourists alike, and its tropical climate averages 76°F year‑round. The county offers world‑class dining, theater, nightlife, premium shopping venues, and recreational activities such as golf, pickleball, soccer, deep‑sea fishing, boating, and beach fun. It hosts the Fort Lauderdale‑Hollywood International Airport, Port Everglades, and is a short drive from major professional sports teams including the Florida Panthers, Miami Heat, Miami Marlins, and Miami Dolphins.
The County Government The Broward County Government operates under a Council/Manager form of government, established under a Charter in 1975. The Board consists of nine elected members with four‑year staggered terms, and a Mayor and Vice‑Mayor selected from the Commission. The County Administrator serves as CEO, overseeing six major operating departments and more than 70 lines of business. The County employs nearly 7,000 individuals across eight bargaining units with an FY26 budget of $8.75 billion (Operating $5.45 billion, Capital $2.55 billion, Debt Service $0.75 billion).
The Position The Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides leadership and direction for BCT’s Operations Division, overseeing bus, rail, paratransit, onboard systems, and fleet services. Responsibilities include executive oversight, operational management, financial performance, strategic planning, employee development, safety promotion, customer advocacy, and coordination of assigned division activities. The COO advises the Transportation Director, reviews policies, collaborates with stakeholders, tracks KPIs, and maintains productive relationships with county and transportation leaders, union representatives, employees, customers, and the community. The role requires 24/7 emergency incident response and reports directly to the Department Director.
Responsibilities
Provide strategic direction and execution for all assigned operating sections.
Lead and oversee service delivery, including rolling stock maintenance, ensuring service commitments are met.
Monitor performance, ensure KPI tracking, analyze data for trends and improve outcomes.
Facilitate solutions to operational problems for all employees and customers.
Assist with strategic planning for future operations and deliverables.
Oversee annual budget formulation and execution.
Prepare for audits, create action plans for deficiencies.
Represent BCT at county commissioner meetings, public events, and transportation forums.
Attend operations-related seminars, conferences, and trainings.
Participate in union negotiations, grievances, and arbitrations.
Execute fair and timely employee performance management.
Assist with recruitment of vacant positions.
Promote a culture of safety throughout the organization.
Perform other work as assigned.
The Ideal Candidate
Proven track record of analyzing data and developing solutions to improve performance.
Ability to forecast future needs related to current structure and the PREMO expansion.
Experience in building and maintaining relationships with internal and external partners.
Servant‑ and transformational‑leadership approach with a focus on employee development.
Strong emotional intelligence, adaptability, and ability to pivot quickly to address emergent issues.
Experience collaborating with section leaders to assess operations across bus operations, maintenance, paratransit, onboard systems, fleet services, and rail.
Knowledge of KPI analytics and data tracking to measure success.
Experience developing plans and operational goals that support the BCT mission.
Preparedness to maintain communication with staff across all shifts; 24/7 overnight engagement.
Knowledge of rail maintenance planning for commuter and light rail projects.
Proficiency in data collection, analysis, and performance tracking to improve on‑time performance and preventative maintenance.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Transportation, or a closely related field. One year of relevant experience may substitute for each year of required education. Six (6) years progressively responsible experience in administration and management of public transit, transportation, business administration, public administration, logistics, or a closely related field. A master’s degree and at least 10 years of senior‑level management experience in a multi‑modal transit agency, including rail, is preferred. Leadership experience managing bargaining units and implementing high‑capacity transit programs is also preferred.
Special Certifications and License Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License for the duration of the assignment.
Compensation and Benefits Annual salary range: $155,771.77 – $248,612.45. County benefits include:
Florida Retirement System (FRS)
– Choice of two retirement plans: traditional pension with eight years of vesting or investment plan with one year of vesting.
Deferred Compensation
– Voluntary 457 plan through Mission Square, Brighthouse Financial, and Nationwide Retirement Solutions.
Flexible Spending Accounts
– Eligibility for health and dependent care accounts.
Health Savings Accounts
– County contribution when enrolling in an HDHP and completing the County’s 2026 Engagement Incentive.
Vacation and Sick Leave
– Accrued biweekly, annualized at two weeks vacation and 12 days sick time; 40 hours job‑basis leave for exempt employees.
Holidays
– Eleven (11) holidays and two personal days.
Insurance Coverage
– Health, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Accounts, Long‑Term Disability, and Pre‑Paid Legal; county subsidizes enrollment and may offer a waiver credit.
Life Insurance
– $50,000 group term life; additional coverage available for employees and dependents.
Additional Benefits
– Employee Development and Personal Income Protection Plans.
For additional information on benefits, visit www.broward.org/benefits.
Physical Demands Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement. The position involves sedentary work, walking or standing for some time, and exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular basis or sustained keyboard operations.
Unavoidable Hazards (Work Environment) None.
Competencies
Financial Acumen
– Interprets and applies key financial indicators to make better business decisions.
Manages Complexity
– Makes sense of complex, high‑quantity, sometimes contradictory information to solve problems efficiently.
Balances Stakeholders
– Anticipates and balances the needs of multiple stakeholders with ethical standards and cross‑cultural sensitivity.
Strategic Mindset
– Sees ahead to future possibilities; translates trends into breakthrough strategies.
Plans and Aligns
– Creates nimble plans, prioritizes efforts, and achieves cohesion and alignment within the organization.
Optimizes Work Processes
– Drives continuous improvement, quality outcomes, and efficient integration of systems.
Ensures Accountability
– Holds self and others accountable, tracks metrics, and redirects effort as needed.
Interpersonal Savvy
– Builds rapport with diverse groups and maintains productive relationships.
Builds Effective Teams
– Mentors team building, corrects dysfunctional teams, and leverages individual strengths.
Drives Vision and Purpose
– Paints a compelling vision, engages the team, and encourages buy‑in.
Situational Adaptability
– Adapts approach in real time and models flexibility for others.
County Core Values
Collaborates – Build partnerships and work collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
Customer Focus – Build strong customer relationships and deliver customer‑centric solutions.
Instills Trust – Gain confidence and trust through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
Values Differences – Recognize the value of diverse perspectives and cultures.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance Broward County is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusion. Qualified persons with disabilities who require assistance may contact the Professional Standards Section in advance at 954‑357‑6500 or email Profstandards@broward.org to request an accommodation.
County-wide Emergency Responsibilities During emergency conditions, all county employees are automatically considered emergency service workers and are expected to perform emergency service duties as assigned.
County-wide Employee Responsibilities All employees must serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity in accordance with the Employee Code of Ethics, gift, and conflict of interest policies, and establish effective working relationships regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, familial status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or gender identity and expression.
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Chief Operating Officer (Assistant Director of Transportation)
in its Operations Division.
The Community Bordering Southeast Florida’s Atlantic coastline, Broward County is the seventeenth most populous county in the nation and the second largest in the state of Florida. Home to over 1.9 million people, the county occupies about 1,200 square miles and contains 31 municipalities, the largest of which is the county seat, Fort Lauderdale. Approximately two‑thirds of the county is part of the undeveloped Everglades conservation area. Broward County boasts 23 miles of pristine Atlantic coastline, its beaches attract locals and tourists alike, and its tropical climate averages 76°F year‑round. The county offers world‑class dining, theater, nightlife, premium shopping venues, and recreational activities such as golf, pickleball, soccer, deep‑sea fishing, boating, and beach fun. It hosts the Fort Lauderdale‑Hollywood International Airport, Port Everglades, and is a short drive from major professional sports teams including the Florida Panthers, Miami Heat, Miami Marlins, and Miami Dolphins.
The County Government The Broward County Government operates under a Council/Manager form of government, established under a Charter in 1975. The Board consists of nine elected members with four‑year staggered terms, and a Mayor and Vice‑Mayor selected from the Commission. The County Administrator serves as CEO, overseeing six major operating departments and more than 70 lines of business. The County employs nearly 7,000 individuals across eight bargaining units with an FY26 budget of $8.75 billion (Operating $5.45 billion, Capital $2.55 billion, Debt Service $0.75 billion).
The Position The Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides leadership and direction for BCT’s Operations Division, overseeing bus, rail, paratransit, onboard systems, and fleet services. Responsibilities include executive oversight, operational management, financial performance, strategic planning, employee development, safety promotion, customer advocacy, and coordination of assigned division activities. The COO advises the Transportation Director, reviews policies, collaborates with stakeholders, tracks KPIs, and maintains productive relationships with county and transportation leaders, union representatives, employees, customers, and the community. The role requires 24/7 emergency incident response and reports directly to the Department Director.
Responsibilities
Provide strategic direction and execution for all assigned operating sections.
Lead and oversee service delivery, including rolling stock maintenance, ensuring service commitments are met.
Monitor performance, ensure KPI tracking, analyze data for trends and improve outcomes.
Facilitate solutions to operational problems for all employees and customers.
Assist with strategic planning for future operations and deliverables.
Oversee annual budget formulation and execution.
Prepare for audits, create action plans for deficiencies.
Represent BCT at county commissioner meetings, public events, and transportation forums.
Attend operations-related seminars, conferences, and trainings.
Participate in union negotiations, grievances, and arbitrations.
Execute fair and timely employee performance management.
Assist with recruitment of vacant positions.
Promote a culture of safety throughout the organization.
Perform other work as assigned.
The Ideal Candidate
Proven track record of analyzing data and developing solutions to improve performance.
Ability to forecast future needs related to current structure and the PREMO expansion.
Experience in building and maintaining relationships with internal and external partners.
Servant‑ and transformational‑leadership approach with a focus on employee development.
Strong emotional intelligence, adaptability, and ability to pivot quickly to address emergent issues.
Experience collaborating with section leaders to assess operations across bus operations, maintenance, paratransit, onboard systems, fleet services, and rail.
Knowledge of KPI analytics and data tracking to measure success.
Experience developing plans and operational goals that support the BCT mission.
Preparedness to maintain communication with staff across all shifts; 24/7 overnight engagement.
Knowledge of rail maintenance planning for commuter and light rail projects.
Proficiency in data collection, analysis, and performance tracking to improve on‑time performance and preventative maintenance.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Transportation, or a closely related field. One year of relevant experience may substitute for each year of required education. Six (6) years progressively responsible experience in administration and management of public transit, transportation, business administration, public administration, logistics, or a closely related field. A master’s degree and at least 10 years of senior‑level management experience in a multi‑modal transit agency, including rail, is preferred. Leadership experience managing bargaining units and implementing high‑capacity transit programs is also preferred.
Special Certifications and License Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License for the duration of the assignment.
Compensation and Benefits Annual salary range: $155,771.77 – $248,612.45. County benefits include:
Florida Retirement System (FRS)
– Choice of two retirement plans: traditional pension with eight years of vesting or investment plan with one year of vesting.
Deferred Compensation
– Voluntary 457 plan through Mission Square, Brighthouse Financial, and Nationwide Retirement Solutions.
Flexible Spending Accounts
– Eligibility for health and dependent care accounts.
Health Savings Accounts
– County contribution when enrolling in an HDHP and completing the County’s 2026 Engagement Incentive.
Vacation and Sick Leave
– Accrued biweekly, annualized at two weeks vacation and 12 days sick time; 40 hours job‑basis leave for exempt employees.
Holidays
– Eleven (11) holidays and two personal days.
Insurance Coverage
– Health, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Accounts, Long‑Term Disability, and Pre‑Paid Legal; county subsidizes enrollment and may offer a waiver credit.
Life Insurance
– $50,000 group term life; additional coverage available for employees and dependents.
Additional Benefits
– Employee Development and Personal Income Protection Plans.
For additional information on benefits, visit www.broward.org/benefits.
Physical Demands Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement. The position involves sedentary work, walking or standing for some time, and exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular basis or sustained keyboard operations.
Unavoidable Hazards (Work Environment) None.
Competencies
Financial Acumen
– Interprets and applies key financial indicators to make better business decisions.
Manages Complexity
– Makes sense of complex, high‑quantity, sometimes contradictory information to solve problems efficiently.
Balances Stakeholders
– Anticipates and balances the needs of multiple stakeholders with ethical standards and cross‑cultural sensitivity.
Strategic Mindset
– Sees ahead to future possibilities; translates trends into breakthrough strategies.
Plans and Aligns
– Creates nimble plans, prioritizes efforts, and achieves cohesion and alignment within the organization.
Optimizes Work Processes
– Drives continuous improvement, quality outcomes, and efficient integration of systems.
Ensures Accountability
– Holds self and others accountable, tracks metrics, and redirects effort as needed.
Interpersonal Savvy
– Builds rapport with diverse groups and maintains productive relationships.
Builds Effective Teams
– Mentors team building, corrects dysfunctional teams, and leverages individual strengths.
Drives Vision and Purpose
– Paints a compelling vision, engages the team, and encourages buy‑in.
Situational Adaptability
– Adapts approach in real time and models flexibility for others.
County Core Values
Collaborates – Build partnerships and work collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
Customer Focus – Build strong customer relationships and deliver customer‑centric solutions.
Instills Trust – Gain confidence and trust through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
Values Differences – Recognize the value of diverse perspectives and cultures.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance Broward County is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusion. Qualified persons with disabilities who require assistance may contact the Professional Standards Section in advance at 954‑357‑6500 or email Profstandards@broward.org to request an accommodation.
County-wide Emergency Responsibilities During emergency conditions, all county employees are automatically considered emergency service workers and are expected to perform emergency service duties as assigned.
County-wide Employee Responsibilities All employees must serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity in accordance with the Employee Code of Ethics, gift, and conflict of interest policies, and establish effective working relationships regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, familial status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or gender identity and expression.
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